Plurality
Many people who know me casually, think that I am very liberal. However, on further understanding, many are shocked at how conservative I am at the core. They do not seem to be able to reconcile how someone so conservative, can not be at odds with the lives of liberals.
Perhaps the main issue here is the idea of choice. I am not sure why, but conservatism has been linked to the desire to control the lives of others. However, it is my belief that everyone should be allowed free choice for as long as the choices do not impinge on the lives of others.
Hence, while I do not believe that everyone needs a car, I do not insist that everyone I get into contact with sells off his or her car. Somehow, this ability to allow for variations in opinion to exist confuses people.
Considering that each of us has a unique upbringing and background, we carry with us our own understanding and pre-conceptions. Not all can be proven right or wrong, especially when you consider different cultural backgrounds and practices. So, what gives us the right to enforce a practice, just because it works for us? Could someone else not have another practice, that works well too?
Perhaps the main issue here is the idea of choice. I am not sure why, but conservatism has been linked to the desire to control the lives of others. However, it is my belief that everyone should be allowed free choice for as long as the choices do not impinge on the lives of others.
Hence, while I do not believe that everyone needs a car, I do not insist that everyone I get into contact with sells off his or her car. Somehow, this ability to allow for variations in opinion to exist confuses people.
Considering that each of us has a unique upbringing and background, we carry with us our own understanding and pre-conceptions. Not all can be proven right or wrong, especially when you consider different cultural backgrounds and practices. So, what gives us the right to enforce a practice, just because it works for us? Could someone else not have another practice, that works well too?